Coast Guard and Baywatch respond to sinking boat

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – The Coast Guard and Baywatch Avalon worked together to help four people, including two children, who were on a sinking boat about 15 miles southeast of Catalina Island, Calif., Wednesday.

Watchstanders dispatched a 45-foot rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles/Long Beach, a Baywatch Avalon boat, and a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles to assist.

The 45-foot motor yacht began taking on water through the bilge shortly after the two adults and two children, ages 12 and 13 years old, departed Avalon Harbor heading south.

The Coast Guard and Baywatch boats each passed a dewatering pump to the vessel, which was able to keep up with the rate of flooding as they were escorted back to the harbor.